More Stupid Judge Tricks

[Theophylact]

Judge put on leave over alleged Tarzan quip

Aug. 4, 2003 | BOSTON (AP) --

An immigration judge was placed on administrative leave Monday after complaints that he made jokes about Tarzan to a woman who had been raped and tortured in her native Uganda.

The woman, whose first name is Jane, went before Judge Thomas Ragno in June, seeking political asylum in the United States because her husband was killed and she was beaten, raped and tortured in her homeland.

"Jane, come here. Me Tarzan!'' Ragno said, according to the woman's physician, Dr. Sondra Crosby, who attended the June 20 deportation hearing to testify about the woman's injuries.

"It was disrespectful and insulting, and in my mind it was racist to have a white judge making Tarzan comments to a black woman,'' Crosby said.

Crosby filed an affidavit protesting Ragno's behavior as part of the woman's appeal of the judge's rejection of her bid for asylum.

After learning of the complaint, the Executive Office for Immigration Review, a division of the U.S. Department of Justice, placed Ragno on paid leave pending an investigation, said spokesman Greg Gagne.

During the court session, Ragno also listed to a weather forecast on his speaker phone and discussed his search for a new condominium, Crosby said.

Ragno, an immigration judge for more than 30 years, did not return a call seeking comment. Court Administrator Robert Halpin declined to comment.

[jch216]

disrespectful....yes

racist???....gimme a break.

[M_Six]

Think he deserves a raise, too, Theo??

[Epidemic]

"It was disrespectful and insulting, and in my mind it was racist to have a white judge making Tarzan comments to a black woman,'' Crosby said

Ummmm, ya moron, Tarzan was white, Jane was white. Unless the fiction revisionists have found documented proof that Tarzan was actually a black fictional character who the author mistakenly changed to white to continue the racism

It was a juvenile attempt at humor. I do not know if it was such a dasdardly deed on it's own to require his removal. It might be an indicator of a problem but on the comment alone I would say a big old duhhhhhhhhh!!! was required by all parties with some eye rolling on her part as well as the rest of the courtroom participants.

[Mickwish]

Checking the weather and taking calls about his real estate during a case hearing are the worst crimes, IMO. Tarzan stunt was a joke, albeit in bad taste in front of an abused woemn. Lack of sensitivity rather than racism. I bet he was suspended because of the other stuff more than anything.

Sounds like he is not respecting his own position, really.

Cheers
Mick